What makes It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones notable?

The song became a massive hit, reaching number one in several countries and solidifying Jones's place as a leading figure in the 1960s music landscape. Its distinctive sound helped define the blue-eyed soul genre, influencing numerous artists who followed. Released in 1965, It's Not Unusual was Tom Jones's debut single that catapulted him to international fame. At this point in his career, he was transitioning from a nightclub singer in Wales to a global pop sensation, making significant waves in the British music scene.

How many songs are on It's Not Unusual?

It's Not Unusual has 4 tracks, running approximately 2 minutes.

It's Not Unusual

Tom Jones

2 min · 4 tracks · blues

A vibrant blend of pop and R&B, driven by a catchy horn section and Tom Jones's powerful, soulful vocals.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
It’s Not Unusual — This track features an unforgettable melody paired with Jones's dynamic vocal delivery, establishing his signature style and setting the tone for his future hits.
→
Delilah — Delilah showcases Jones's theatrical performance style and storytelling ability, becoming one of his most enduring songs and a staple of his live shows.
→
It’s Not Unusual / Land of a Thousand Dances (live) — This live version highlights Jones's charismatic stage presence and ability to engage an audience, capturing the energy of his performances during this era.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong vocals and instrumentation but lacks depth and cohesion across its short tracklist.

What we noticed

The title track features a prominent brass section that drives the rhythm, while Jones's vocal delivery is both powerful and emotive.
The extended version adds additional instrumental sections, lengthening the track without introducing new material.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This debut single established Tom Jones's international fame and recognition.
Themes: British pop explosion· nightclub glamour· soulful storytelling
Career context: Released in 1965, It's Not Unusual was Tom Jones's debut single that catapulted him to international fame. At this point in his career, he was transitioning from a nightclub singer in Wales to a global pop sensation, making significant waves in the British music scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Joe Cocker· Engelbert Humperdinck· Wilson Pickett